Healthy Aging Habits

Healthy Aging Month, celebrated annually in September, is a great time to begin implementing lifestyle habits that will help promote lifelong physical and mental health.

“By practicing healthy habits, you get to enjoy your life with the body you are given for a longer period of time,” said Alana Elmquist, BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.

Lifestyle habits that help promote healthy aging include:

· Exercising regularly

· Getting adequate sleep

· Limiting alcohol consumption

· Avoiding tobacco

· Reducing stress

· Spending time with loved ones

· Staying hydrated by drinking water

· Wearing sunscreen

“By exercising, reducing stress, eating well and not smoking you will reduce your risk of cognitive decline as you age and will allow your body to work at its full potential,” Elmquist stated.

As we age, annually visiting with a primary care physician and receiving needed tests or screenings can help reduce our risk of developing chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and cancer.

“You should get regular health screenings such as skin checks, pap smears, mammograms and colorectal screenings to help prevent and detect health issues early,” Elmquist shared. “Early detection can help decrease risks of complications or death.”

BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic’s specialists offer services to promote healthy aging for all patients. To schedule an appointment with a BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic specialist, please call 806-358-0200.